Page 7 of Return to Me Always

Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God.

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm. Hard.

"What are you doing?" I shrieked.

"I think you should get in the car now." His voice was different—demanding and rough.

"No way!" Now I was pissed as well as totally freaked out.

He jerked my arm toward the open door and tried to force me into the car. But I fought back and planted my feet on the ground. He pulled harder.

Damn! He was strong.

Panic welled up in me at the thought of him winning this battle. What the hell did he plan to do with me?

I couldn't let him win!

With everything I had and every muscle strained to its limit, I struggled against him as he tried with his whole body to wrestle me through the open door. In desperation, my hands clutched the car's doorframe, trying to leverage myself backward. His strength was overpowering, and he almost had control.

But for a split second, he let up as he readjusted his angle. And without even thinking, as pure instinct kicked in, I spun around and kneed him as hard as I could right in the groin.

He grunted, doubling over in pain, and I took off running.

Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

I heard footsteps pounding behind me.

Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!

Where on earth was I? And why weren't there any other people around? Hearing a car horn nearby, I ran toward the sound, praying for a busy street.

"Kat! Don't run away!" he yelled from behind me.

God, he was close.

I ran faster. Toward the lights. Toward the busy street. Without even looking, I jumped from a curb.

A deafening screech. Headlights blinded me, and a horn sounded.

"Kat!" Malcolm shouted from the sidewalk.

Adrenaline pumped through me. I bolted again and heardMalcolm's heavy footsteps gaining on me.

"You can't run from me! Iwillfind you!" he shouted as I sprinted down the sidewalk.

Just a couple of blocks now.Closer and closer.

Another squeal of brakes next to me. And this time, someone yelled, "Get in!"

I turned to look at the driver. It was the guy from my dreams!

What on earth was going on?

I continued to run. A cramp stabbed at my side while the car kept pace with me.

"Come on! Just get in," he shouted.

Grabbing onto my side, I kept running.

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